where to buy a 4" hole saw

[dmurdock]

I'm just gonna need it once (installing a b&w hitch)... but nobody has them in stock. Any ideas?? Do you think a wood saw would last long enough to cut through the bed before the teeth wear out?

 

[EOliver]

I drove my truck down to the local metal fab shop and they drilled the hole for me. The cost for them doing the work was less than half of what a hole saw would have cost me.



Try that route.

 

[jpolston]

If you can borrow a "knock out" punch from an Electrical Contractor you will get a much cleaner cut.

 

[jhurst]

I picked one up at Ace Hardware. It is for wood, but will last long enough.



Have fun drilling it That corrugated metal is a pain to drill with a holesaw but just keep at it!



Good luck!



Justin H

 

[83 crew cab]

dmurdock pm your address and I can send you mine just send it back when your done George

 

[Loren]

dmurdock,



George's offer is definitely the best deal around, but if you want to buy your own, check out McMaster-Carr at:



http://www.mcmaster.com/



Search for their catalog number: 41005A56.



This is but one of several 4" hole saws they offer.



I've ordered on-line from them many times. They ship the next morning. In south-eastern Indiana I get my orders the day after they are shipped from Cleveland. Shipping charges aren't shown on-line during ordering, but are very reasonable. Charges for a hole saw would probably be under $5.



Happy drilling.



Loren

 

[RustyJC]

If you're near the Houston area, you're welcome to borrow mine. PM me if you're interested.



Edit: If you really want to buy one, I found mine at Sears Hardware.



Rusty

 

[Phil Stuart]

4" hole saw

dmurdock,



I sent you a PM



Phil

 

[Pogodually]

hole saw

Sam Memmelo did the same job on his TV show, 2 Guys Garage. He built a plywood frame with a 4" hole and put his feet on the plywood to hold the saw steady and get a good hole in the right location. No drifting of the hole saw. Looked good when done on TV.



Good luck

 

[dmurdock]

FYI everybody, george '83 crewcab' is sending me his to borrow.



Yes, i've seen that episode twice... . i'm still sweatin' the part of drilling a hold in a brand new truck, should be "exciting". . ehh

 

[Phil Stuart]

Drilling da hole

I did not use a piece of wood.



I started with a tad smaller pilot bit with my cordless drill after double and triple checking the measurements , then used the hole saw and went SLOWLY cause it will bite quick once the saw teeth get a grab on the metal

It worked very well and everything lined up exactly as stated in the instructions (whew!).



I'm happy with my install



Phil

 

[RustyJC]

Yeah, it's a sobering experience to cut that hole in the bed floor! I'll bet I measured 5 times at least and then had my wife take the measurements before I ever committed to drilling that first pilot hole!



A word to the wise - after cutting the hole for the B&W (including the 4 each 1/2" holes for the gooseneck safety chain U-bolts) and the 7-pin connector, get all of the metal chips out of the bed. Clean it at least 6 times. Sweep it out. Vacuum it out. Wipe it down by hand. When you're finished, do it all over again. You may think you have all the chips out, but you don't. Ask me how I know! You should have seen what the bed looked like after the first rain (our truck is bright white)! :{ Fortunately, I had the bed Line-X'ed the next week.



Rusty

 

[JoeyD]

Just a FYI for anyone needing a 4inch hole saw, any plumbing supply house would have it.

 

[Phil Stuart]

mounting the 7 pin connector

Originally posted by RustyJC





A word to the wise - after cutting the hole for the B&W (including the 4 each 1/2" holes for the gooseneck safety chain U-bolts) and the 7-pin connector, get all of the metal chips out of the bed.

Rusty

Where did you mount your 7 pin connector RustyJC?



Phil

 

[plater]

They have them at Loews and Home Depot.

 

[RustyJC]

Re: mounting the 7 pin connector

Originally posted by Phil Stuart

Where did you mount your 7 pin connector?

In the lower left rear corner area of the driver's side inner bed wall. Check behind the bed wall to be sure you have enough depth to clear the 7-pin connector you choose (with wiring attached). I've seen some people say that there's a plug in the wiring harness up around the bed-to-cab area that the added 7-pin connector can plug into, but I haven't searched for it. I just tapped into the wiring going to the factory 7-pin connector mounted on the hitch receiver, soldering and sealing all connections.



Rusty

 

[Phil Stuart]

Re: Re: mounting the 7 pin connector

Originally posted by RustyJC

In the lower left rear corner area of the driver's side inner bed wall. Check behind the bed wall to be sure you have enough depth to clear the 7-pin connector you choose (with wiring attached). I've seen some people say that there's a plug in the wiring harness up around the bed-to-cab area that the added 7-pin connector can plug into, but I haven't searched for it. I just tapped into the wiring going to the factory 7-pin connector mounted on the hitch receiver, soldering and sealing all connections.



Rusty

That's where I'll put it. Went to RV supply place yesterday and got a 7 pin connector and about 8' of 7 conductor. That should do it. Next time I'm under the truck I'll look for an adapter/connector for the wiring, but if none I was going to wire it up the way you described.



Phil

 

[RustyJC]

The following may help with deciphering the color coding of the wiring to the 7-pin connector. Note that this TSB applies to 1994-1997 trucks, but my recollection is that it was good for my 2002:



TSB 08-33-96



Rusty